Help with the cost of childcare

Can I get help to pay for childcare?

• I'm 16-19 and planning to go to/ already at sixth form or college
  
  
• I'm over 19 and planning to do/ already doing an FE course either in an FE college, a training institution or HE institution
  
  
• I'm over 18 and planning to do/ already doing HE undergraduate course
  
  
• I'm planning to do/ already doing a health professional course (e.g. nursing, dental hygiene, physiotherapy)

Before starting a course check with the student services or advice and guidance department to see what financial assistance, such as child care allowance, you are entitled to. This usually depends on the type of course and your personal circumstances.

Free childcare places

All children in England aged three or four are eligible for a free part-time childcare place. You can get places in school nursery or reception classes, day nurseries, playgroups or with some childminders. Contact your local Children's information Service (CIS) for more details.

You can find your local CIS on the Childcare Link website or by calling the Childcare Information Helpline on 0800 2346 346.

I'm 16-19 and planning to go to/ already at sixth form or college.

Care to Learn

Under this scheme students aged 19 or under who have children can get funding to pay for registered childcare and associated travel costs. Find out more by visiting Care to Learn or calling 0845 600 2809.

Learner support funds

The Learner Support Fund can be used towards the costs of books, equipment, transport, accommodation and childcare costs. If you are at college you can apply for this through the Student Support or Welfare Officer. If you are in sixth form you can apply for this through the Student Awards or Student Support Officer at your Local Education Authority (LEA).

New Deal for Lone Parents

If you're a lone parent whose youngest child is under 16, and are either not working or are working under 16 hours a week, you can get help under the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. You'll get a Personal Adviser, who’ll tell you what funding you're entitled to towards course fees, travel, and childcare. Visit the Jobcentre Plus website, call freephone 0800 868 868 or drop into your local Jobcentre Plus.

Career Development Loan (CDL)

If you’re over 18 and planning to do a vocational course you can use a CDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. For more information you can call 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loan website.

Child Tax Credit

How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You can claim it regardless of whether you’re working or not. Call the Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the Inland Revenue website to work out how much you would qualify for and apply online.

Educational trusts and charities

You may be able to get funding from these organisations for childcare costs. Check the eligibility of each organisation and apply early for the best chance of success. Your library might stock the Educational Grants Directory, The Grants Register, or The Charities Digest. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (Tel: 020 7254 6251) will search through charitable organisations for you to identify which you might be eligible for.

Back to the top

I'm over 19 and planning to do, or are already doing, a further education course at a further education college, a training institution or a higher education institution.

Childcare support fund

If you’re a student parent on benefits or a low income you might qualify for money from the Childcare Support Fund to pay for registered childcare. You can receive this money directly and use it for registered childcare you’ve arranged yourself or you can receive it in the form of a free or subsidised place at a college nursery. If you're at college you can apply for this through the Student Support or Welfare Officer. If you're in sixth form you can apply through the Student Awards or Student Support Officer at your Local Education Authority (LEA).

New Deal for Lone Parents

If you're a lone parent whose youngest child is under 16, and are either not working or are working under 16 hours a week, you can get help under the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. You'll get a Personal Adviser, who’ll tell you what funding you're entitled to towards course fees, travel, and childcare. Visit the Jobcentre Plus website, call freephone 0800 868 868 or drop into your local Jobcentre Plus.

Career Development Loan (CDL)

If you’re over 18 and planning to do a vocational course you can use a CDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. For more information you can call 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loan website.

Child Tax Credit

How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You can claim it regardless of whether you’re working or not. Call the Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the Inland Revenue website to work out how much you would qualify for and apply online.

Educational trusts and charities

You may be able to get funding from these organisations for childcare costs. Check the eligibility of each organisation and apply early for the best chance of success. Your library might stock the Educational Grants Directory, The Grants Register, or The Charities Digest. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (Tel: 020 7254 6251) will search through charitable organisations for you to identify which you might be eligible for.

Back to the top

I'm over 18 and planning to do/ already doing HE undergraduate course

Childcare Grant Package

You can claim this money for registered childcare if you’re a full-time student with children under 15. You can qualify for up to 85 percent of childcare costs throughout the year, not just during term time. How much you qualify for depends on the cost of your childcare, your income and any income your dependants earn. You don't have to pay it back. You apply for the Childcare Grant from your Local Education Authority (LEA) or the Student Awards or Welfare Officer at your college. You can call the Department for Education and Skills publications line (DfES) on 0800 731 9133 for a leaflet on financial help towards childcare.

Parents Learning Allowance

If you’re a full-time student with dependant children, you may qualify for this funding in addition to the Childcare Grant. The Parents’ Learning Allowance is non-repayable help towards course-related costs like travel, books, equipment and childcare. How much you qualify for depends on your income and any income your dependants earn. The Parents’ Learning Allowance is paid with any maintenance loans or grants you receive.

Child Tax Credit

How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You can claim it regardless of whether you’re working or not. Call the Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the Inland Revenue website to work out how much you would qualify for and apply online.

Access to Learning Fund

This is available through your college or university. You may qualify for the Access to Learning Fund if you’re on a low income and need extra financial help to stay on in higher education. These funds can cover unexpected costs and costs not being met by any other grants. You need to meet the usual residence requirements and be considered a 'home student'. Similar schemes operate in Wales and Scotland: Financial Contingency Awards in Wales and Hardship Funds in Scotland.

Career Development Loan (CDL)

If you’re over 18 and planning to do a vocational course you can use a CDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. For more information you can call 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loan website.

Back to the top

I'm planning to do/ already doing a health professional course (e.g. nursing, dental hygiene, physiotherapy)

Bursaries

Students on health professional courses with NHS funding can qualify for a bursary. This includes a maintenance grant to cover childcare costs, day-to-day living, equipment, books and travel costs. Mature students over 26 who are lone parents or have dependants can qualify for additional funding. You don’t have to pay back this funding. For more info on bursaries call the NHS Student Grants Unit on 01253 655655.

NHS Childcare Allowance

You can apply for help towards your childcare costs from the NHS Childcare Allowance. You could be eligible if you:

• are an existing or new NHS Bursary funded student
• have dependent children aged 15 or under, or 17 and under for children with disabilities or special educational needs
• use registered childcare.

The amount you receive depends on your circumstances. For more information call the NHS Students Helpline on 0845 358 6655.

Child Tax Credit

How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You can claim it regardless of whether you’re working or not. Call the Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the Inland Revenue website to work out how much you would qualify for and apply online.

Career Development Loan (CDL)

If you’re over 18 and planning to do a vocational course you can use a CDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. For more information you can call 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loan website.

Further information

You can get more information on NHS funding for health care students on the NHS Student Bursaries website.